A family of eight, including a four-week-old baby, has been left homeless after a kitchen fire devastated their home in Sale, Trafford. Chloe Halsall, 27, and Conor Leyland, 28, along with their six children aged 10 and under, are now staying in a Travelodge after the blaze on Thursday morning.
The fire broke out around 9am while Chloe was in bed with the newborn. Conor smelled smoke but initially saw nothing. After taking the children to school, he returned to find smoke billowing from the kitchen and shouted for everyone to evacuate. Fire crews arrived within minutes, but the kitchen was destroyed, with windows blown out and severe smoke damage throughout the house.
The family lost almost all their belongings, salvaging only some clothes and school uniforms. Chloe said, 'There is nothing really that is salvageable.' The council, which owns the property, has placed them in temporary accommodation, but they may not be able to return for three to six months. The council will replace the kitchen, but the family must cover other costs themselves.
A GoFundMe appeal has been launched by Chloe's sister-in-law, Rebecca Parkin, to help with essentials like clothing, baby items, and food. Rebecca said the fire 'destroyed almost everything they rely on day to day' and described the task of rebuilding as 'unimaginable'. No injuries were reported.
